IFSA - Study Abroad Programs in Australia

From take-off to Australia and landing back to the States, IFSA could not have made the process more supportive, entertaining, cultural, educational, social, and seamless... Our orientation provided us not only the resources necessary to make new friends (who would likely end up on our subsequent program), but, more importantly, the opportunity to remind ourselves that we, in fact, CAN make friends —and this reassurance goes a long way throughout the semester and in life. I love how IFSA looks after their students throughout the entire semester... not just in the beginning and for administrative needs... I went to Melbourne completely alone (and happened to meet one girl from my school, along with dozens of other kids I still keep in close contact with), and I strongly advise IFSA to maintain the norm of enrolling in study abroad alone. All of the friends that I acquired there, too, arrived independently, which made everyone more open-minded, relaxed, and less suffocated. This is how study abroad should be done. I made friends for life who live in both the states and Melbourne. I’m also very appreciative of the fact that IFSA got us spots in the Uni Melbourne International Student Orientation, for this is where I was able to make even more friends than I started with from my IFSA “herd.” Friends from other international programs did not know of the Uni orientation and missed out on making friends and learning more about what the school has to offer.

Being at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia was the perfect study abroad experience for me! It gave me the chance to experience what a large university had to offer, in diversity of classmates and courses to take! I met two of my best friends through the IFSA program, as they were my roommates during my stay. We still are in contact til this day! Sydney is vibrant yet peaceful, lively yet graceful, and hands down one of my favorite places on earth. You won’t regret taking the trip! My 20+ hours of flying? Totally worth it. My advice, try their coffee. It’s a bit different than how we order it in America but I promise it’s 10x better!

Honestly, I would advise everyone to go on a study abroad trip with IFSA. Everything was so carefully thought out, and everyone was so organized. This made it easy to enjoy myself and worry about the traveling and academics. The time that I spent there was complemented by past students' suggestions of things to do and ways to get stuff done. Culture shock was not an issue, because we were prepped before and after for any possibly jarring experiences.

The University of Sydney is a gorgeous campus, the city of Sydney is a even more stunning, and the country of Australia as a whole will leave you breathless. I would recommend this experience to anyone who is even considering Australia. I made lifelong friends, engaged in cultural practices, and even learned to surf ( like a tourist). For me, it was the perfect choice because I wanted a place that was new from home, but also similar. It opened my eyes to the world and has led me to pursue a career in international relations. After taking a course called International Business Strategy and having the opportunity to asses the inner workings of an Australian based company, I realized that the only thing more rewarding than studying abroad would be working abroad. Please, if you have the chance, pursue this opportunity .

I really enjoyed my experience abroad! James Cook University in Cairns is a commuter campus so there was not much of a social aspect but I still had a great time because I met people through the place I lived. I had a traumatic accident while hiking and both the school and IFSA helped tremendously. I enjoyed the day trips through IFSA and orientation. I would recommend IFSA and Carins to other students.

I loved my experience studying at the ANU for a semester, it was the best time of my life. It was academically challenging and engaging, with new perspectives and interesting classes and opportunities. The social life is also very welcoming and fun, there is a lot to do offered by the University, clubs, and particularly the 'colleges' which is the 'hall' or dorm students live in. IFSA was for the most part a good program, the orientation was fun and helpful. However, IFSA was somewhat inconsistent with their communication and support, my transcript was not sent to my College for almost 6 months and the staff did not communicate well or keep me informed, as my specific program only had 2 students including myself we also did not receive the 'promised' trips and opportunities that are promised and organized for other programs which was disappointing. Other than that, my experience at the ANU was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in academics and an inviting and fun social scene. Canberra, as the capital, is very international and different from more popular locations like Sydney, but it is still a great place, though does get cold in the winter.

This was a great program that was highly supportive and allowed for travel. They also took the time to get to know you. Lodging was great and I was steps away from the bus station. I felt very independent but also secure while in this program. They scheduled trips so you got to know the people in your program but it was also very open in the sense that you were able to meet a lot of people outside of the program.

While my study abroad experience at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia was not what I pictured my time abroad in Australia to be, my experience has truly become a part of who I am and I wouldn't change that for the world. I loved being in a more remote location and having the option to take a 20 minute boat ride to Magnetic Island for some SCUBA diving and beach time whenever I had free time. My classes brought us out to the Great Barrier Reef the first weekend I was there and we spent the whole semester analyzing the data we collected. My classes, such as biological oceanography and evolution of reef fishes, were so detailed and atypical that I was able to learn so many things I would have never had the opportunity to if I didn't study abroad. When I back to my home university, I was easily able to pick up internships and research positions because I had such in depth knowledge of these topics. While JCU isn't this most exciting place to be, it was still a lot of fun living in a dorm with all Australians, learning their culture, and making life long friendships. Now, over a year after completing my program, I still talk to them on a regular basis and can't wait to go back and visit them, or have them visit me in the States. Additionally, IFSA - Butler had incredible events planned throughout the semester from going to rugby games and hiking Wallaman falls to a dinner cruise around the Sydney Harbour-- we were truly spoiled. The university also gives you long enough breaks to travel even more outside of where your program is. My friends and I went to New Zealand and Bali, as well as traveled all over the East Coast of Australia. Every trip we went on, we had to log it with our program coordinator (Leanne, who was awesome!) who would periodically check in to make sure we were safe and doing okay. It was reassuring having someone on the other side of the world with us ready with answers to all of our questions and always looking out for us. It gave my parents a peace of mind as well. The biggest thing I gained from studying abroad in Australia was independence. As I am graduating from my home university in 3 days I feel fully prepared for anything the real world might throw at me. I am eager to travel more, visit more places around the world and continue learning through these experiences before I go back to school to earn my masters. Traveling, I believe, is the best way to learn more about yourself and the world we live in, which I feel will give me the experience I need to excel in Grad school and my future career.